Multi-flavor carbonated drink dispenser



R' A, YUZA Oct 31 MULTI-FLAVOR CARBONATED DRINK DISPENSER 2 SheecS SheeJL l Filed Dec 9, 1965 INVENTOR RUDQLPH A, YUZA Oct. 31, 1967 MULTI-FLAVOR CABBONATED DRINK DISPENSER Filed Dec. 9, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR. a V lRUDOLPH A. YUZA IU?. m4 I R. A. YUZA 3,349,968

United States Patent 3,349,968 MULTI-FLAVOR CARBONATED DRINK DISPENSER Rudolph A. Yuza, Westchester, Ill., assignor to The Bastian-Blessing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 512,725 1.0 Claims. (Cl. Z22- 132) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A multi-flavor drink mixing nozzle in which the syrup is .driven against a limited area of the tapered inside wall of the nozzle and is fanned out, or attened by the impact, to provide a partial dilution .of the heavy syrup with a minor portion of the carbonated water flowing through the nozzle after which the diluted syrup readily mixes with .the remaining major portion of the carbonated water with minimized ebullition -of `CO2 lgas as it flows into a glass fbelow the nozzle. An improved passage construction beneficially slows down the rate of flow of carbonated Water to retain a high CO2 content while providing a substantial amount of carbonated water after shut-off which with ebullition, continues to flow briefly and ade-` quately to wash syrup remnants from Ythe nozzle.

This invention relates to the dispensing of carbonated beverages and plain water from a single nozzle which can be located below a counter top in a depending manner and disposed preferably above a drain or sink generally used for other purposes while :leaving the drain and workboard area clear for regular use. l

Not only has the endeavor been continuous to lattain higher and higher .percentages of carbon-ation in carbonated beverages, but it is equally important that any vhigh degree of ,carbonation attained should not be dissipated while ymaking the drink. Heretofore, efforts have been made to dispense the carbonated water and a syrup lsimultaneously, vas shown in Allshouse 2,910,247., as an improvement over the conventional pouring of syrup into a glass, then adding chilled carbonated water, and finally stirring the two with a spoon. Injecting carbonated water into a body O f syrup and stirring with a spoon, both ebullites CO2 rapidly before the customer even receivesV the drink.

In Allshouse 2,910,247 the :syrup is lspread out into 4a thin conical sheet that penetrates and mixes with the carbonated water immediately after the water leaves the outlet opening of the nozzle. 'Iliis provides a -well mixed drink. However, it has been found .that substantial CO2 .loss occurs from possible agitation of all of the flowing carbonated water by the syrup being injected .into the circular sleeve-like column of .carbonated water flowing from the nozzle opening. It is also .to `be noted with consulting drink. However, the degree of mixing was .not as complete .as might be desired as the water entered ,the

drinking glass.

In ,this connection, it has longr been -known that 'beer poured down the inclined side of a `glass retains a higher degree 0f carbonation than if poured against the 'bottom of 'the glass. However, this 'has not been done with car- ,ventional multi-drink dispensing that a kdifferent jiavor bonated drinks mixed in or as they enter the glass because the degree of mixing is not acceptable. There is too little agitation in the liquid flow along an inclined wall of the glass to provide ,satisfactory mixing.

Accordingly, the habit is now prevalent to pour all drinks against the bottom of the glass to be sure of providing a pleasing sight of an even mixture regardless of CO2 losses and then either praise the heavy head on the drink that results, or, if questioned, give Ian argumentative explanation of low carbonation benefits.

However, contrary to expected results it was discovered that intimately `mixing the syrup with a minor portion of the stream of flowing carbonated water, even with agitation, and then owing that mixture with the yet unmixed carbonated water provided excellent results. It was further found that with as .little turbulence as that which is involved with flow -along the inclined Wall of a glass, there was good mixing and the .high degree of carbonation .of the unmixed Acarbonated water persisted in the ultimate mixture. This provided the highest degree of carbonation heretofore commercially attained and the resulting mixture in .the glass was ,complete even with it only running `down along an inclined wall of the glass. Moreover, if head was desired even a greater head .Could be provided when pouring the ingredients the usual distance against the bottom of the glass.

A further advantage was also derived. If vendors of carbonated drinks did not desire the highest carbonation, the degree of ,carbonation originally present in their conventional drinks could be produced at a saving of CO2 gas by lowering the degree of carbonation because more .carbonation was retained with the present invention than heretofore saved with conventional dispensing nozzles for the same final degree of carbonation.

AA further Iobject of the invention is to provide a carbonated drink dispenser which not only can be mounted against the bottom of a counter top above a drain board with economy of required facilities already being present but an unobstructed counter space above as Well as a clear workboard area below is preserved and the nozzle is located .at a reduced height not requiring conventional tedious arm lifting. In fact, with the close proximity between glass and nozzle at waist level it comes naturally to hold the glass at ithe carbonation 'saving inclination of an almost forgotten art which contributes `to'CO2 savings, convenience and the preservation of a carbonator for an improved product.

The invention is further characterized by the dispensing of many drinks of different flavors and also plain water at a single station through a single nozzle which can be serviced and cleaned Vby flushing quite easily.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiflavor drink dispenser which can dispense any sequence of flavors without contaminating subsequent drinks with different Vpreceding Vflavors including a ydispensing nozzle that is and remains clean of syrup between uses.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nozzle and Vporting relationship in -which syrup will not drip nor dry-harden during periods of non-use.

A further object'is to provide an improved passage construction 'for gradually slowing vdown the rate of flow of carbonated water beginning with it Vleaving the flow rate control valve'and continuing luntil it reaches the inner wall of Athe nozzle where it receives thesyrup and then flowing under gravity with a retardation 'of converging walls until .it leaves -the nozzle as a coherent stream -resulting'from the vsyrup being initially diluted runder a mixing action initiated by physically deilecting contact ofthe syrup with 'the wall of the nozzle in =the presence -of -only a minor portion of the carbonated water.

The invention also contemplates 4a construction and Yarrangement -of parts which is Yeasy to manufacture, .as-

semble, use, service and quickly clean without disturbing or changing its operational characteristics.

These being among the objects of the inventions, other and further objects and advantages will become apparent from the drawings, the description relating thereto and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view partly in section of a drink mixing device embodying the invention with the cold insulating and under the counter mounting housing cut away to show the relationship of the dispensing channels and valving arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a lateral elevational view of the device shown in FIG. l partly in section through the passage arrangement of the carbonated water supply conduit;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a preferred modification of the construction shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the dispensing portion of the drink mixing dispenser of FIG. 4 with the nozzle removed for a clear view of the syrup porting arrangement; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational sectional view of a device and arrangement by which the dispensing head of the invention is flushed clear whenever desired.

In the drawings, a counter top is illustrated at 10 with a drink dispenser 12 embodying the invention supported against the under side thereof. The control panel 14 is located near the back edge 16 of the counter top 10 and is located at a station where the nozzle is located above a conventionally installed sink or drain or a work shelf therebelow (not shown). The panel 14 preferably is part of a plastic housing 18 which has bottom 20, rear 24 and side 22 walls. The latter are provided at their upper edges with horizontal mounting flanges 26 either apertured to receive mounting screws or slidably received in offset guide rails 28. All connections to the device preferably are ilexible and include plastic impervious to liquids used in mixing beverages.

The Working parts in the housing are preferably made of molded plastic including the main body 38 and along with the depending plastic nozzle 34 are supported on a mounting connector 36 in threaded relationship as held in place by a threaded mounting ring 40 which in turn clamps the mounting connector 36 in place on the housing 18 with the nozzle extending downwardly through a reinforced opening 37. The housing is lined preferably with preformed elements 32 of light insulating material 32 so that no metal parts nor parts carrying refrigerated liquids are exposed to ambient atmosphere. The dispenser thus provided can be located at or below waist level of an operator with the nozzle at the edge of the counter top nearest to him where push button switches 42 on the panel 14 are visible and readily accessible so that drinks may be drawn in a proper manner and drawn selectively, quickly and effectively with ease without tiresome raising of arms and hands above the waist.

More particularly, referring to FIG. 2 the carbonated water is supplied from a carbonator (not shown) located in a refrigerated space as more particularly described in Johnson 3,009,337, reference to which is hereby made. Carbonated water is supplied to the dispensing head through a plastic pressure hose 50 of low heat conductivity which over long runs can be further encased in insulation 51, if desired. The hose is connected to and covers a metal nipple 52 connected to the inlet of a conventional solenoid valve 54 whose armature 56 (FIG. 1) is slidably mounted in a threaded mounting bushing 58. The bushing is received in the threaded opening 63 of a valve compartment 60 having a valve port 62 in the body 38 facing the opening. The armature carries a valve head member 64 cooperating with the valve port in normally closed relationship as pressure hose or tubing 30 urged by a compression spring 66. A drilled passage 68 leads inwardly from the valve port towards the center of the body and is intersected by an angle bore having a ow rate control valve screw 70 adjustable from outside the housing by means of a head 72 having an Allen wrench socket 75 in its end exposed through an opening 73 in the bottom 20 of the housing.

The description thus far applies also to all other conduits and elements to the extent that like numerals refer to like parts except that the plain Water numerals are provided with the suffix w, the chief distinction being a larger flow area conduit that is almost four times the area of the syrup conduits. Syrup ports where diiferent bear the sufx "s.

The body 38 has a central cylindrical depending boss 74 therein (FIG. 2) provided with a circumferential groove 76 near its lower end and an enlarged upper portion providing a shoulder 78. At its base 77 the -boss is externally threaded to receive the mounting connector 36 thereon as already noted in supported relation. A central conduit section 80 is cored in the body 38 having a substantial angel of divergence in a downward direction, which passage at its narrow end as shown, is met by the carbonated water passage 68 (FIG. 2). The boss 74 at the level of the groove 76 has radial passages 82 drilled therethrough that connect the wide portion of the vertical passage with the groove 76. Below this level the tapering passage is plugged as at 84 so that carbonated water passing the valve 64 ows to the groove through a length of straight passage having an ever expanding flow path of approximately 4 to 1 for ow rate deceleration over a substantial flow distance that is free of turbulating turns and of a length that is at least twelve times the minor diameter.

A ilow sleeve 86 tightly engages the lower end of the boss 74 below the groove in supported relation and is provided with substantial clearance thereabove for a stabilizing constant flow at a further reduced rate. The upper edge 88 of the ilow sleeve serves as a spillway and is spaced from the shoulder 78 for the outward flow of water at the desired reduced rate of flow whereupon the carbonated water flows with even distribution downward- 1y between the tapering outer surfaces 90 of the ow sleeve 86 and the top of the nozzle to flow as a thin film over the converging inner surface 92 of the nozzle 34 for re-convergent soft dow through the lower opening 93 in the nozzle.

As more particularly shown in FIG. 3, the boss 74 also has syrup passages 80s and the water passage 80W spaced angularly from each other for approximately around the axial center of the boss, each in connection at their upper ends with a valve controlled passage 68s or 68rw respectively (FIG. 1). The radial spacing of the syrup pasages from the center of the boss 74 and 74a (FIG. 4) is substantially greater than the radius of the opening 93 (FIG. l) in the bottom of the nozzle 34 so that syrup discharging from their passages impinges with substantial overlap upon the tapering side wall of the nozzle in a limited circumferential area 101 of the side Wall 92 over which carbonated water is flowing at the time. The ow of carbonated water can be controlled by a separate switch button but preferably is controlled by a separate independent electrical contact 41 on each of the syrup ow -control buttons 42. Thus, with the syrup and carbonated water dispensed simultaneously a preliminary and limited dilution of the syrup takes place only with the carbonated water that is passing over the area of syrup contact. The impact against and the deilection of syrup from the nozzle over the limited area 101 greatly facilitates the dilution and therewith the ultimate mixture of the syrup with the remaining carbonated water in the short distance of commingled flow beyond the nozzle whether it be along the side or against the bottom of a drinking glass. Then when the flow is shut off, the syrup stops immediately while the carbonated water continues to leave its ow passage under the inevitable partial and continuing ebullition and expansion of CO2 gas which follows the shut olf. The terminal flow of the carbonated water carries the remnants of ejected `syrup down the side wall 92 and out the end 93 of the nozzle.

Referring to FIG. 4 an embodiment is shown wherein the impingement of syrup is more directly against a limited portion of the wall of the nozzle and a little higher thereon and is fanned out to a thin stream for better immediate coaction and with about the same percentage of flowing carbonated water as in FIG. 1, because, the impingement is higher in the tapering nozzle where the carbonated water is spread out more, a factorwhich also contributes to good ultimate mixing in the glass.

In the construction shown the boss 74a is of molded plastic with radially directed shallow recesses 100 provided in the bottom wall which deepen towards the center of the boss and widen radially outwardly. The deepening provides starting guides for drill points in drilling the syrup passages 80s. Then a cap member 102 having a stud 84s received in the water passage 80 is mounted in place to provide a bottom wall for the recesses 100 coextensive with the outer surface 90 of the flow sleeve to establish axially thin and circumferentially elongated syrup discharge ports 104 for each syrup flavor whereby a limited part of the carbonated water flowing down the inner wall 92 of the nozzle 34 meets ya very thin or sheet-like wall of syrup which it readily dilutes for commingled flow and mixing with the remaining carbonated water as it flows out of the nozzle opening 93 and fills the drinking glass.

The ilow of drinking water may be fanned out also for uniformity of production technique but preferably the cap is cut away over the Water passage 80W (FIG. 5) to let the plain water move directly through the nozzle 34.

The lower edge of the flow sleeve is otherwise contoured to define cooperatively with the cap 102 the exact contour of the ports 104.

Referring to FIG. 7 a closed bottom or cup shaped nozzle replacement 108 is shown for the purpose of flushing the syrup passages clean for health and sanitation purposes. The nozzle 34 is removed and replaced by the flushing attachment which prevents carbonated water discharge except back through ports 104 and out through the syrup passages 80s.

In flushing the syrup passages the tubes 50 may be disconnected 4at the nipples 52 or at the storage tanks (not shown) whereupon the syrup flavor buttons are pressed one by one until the flushing fluid runs clear for each flavor. What happens is that each syrup solenoid and the carbonated water solenoid are energized as though to dispense a mixed drink, but since there is no pressure on the syrup lines when disconnected, the carbonated water blocked by the flushing cap 10S flows back through the syrup line with a volume, expansion and violence that scours the passageways, the metering devices 70, valves 64 and valve chambers 60. In the presence of carbonated water, there is very little ainity between the plastic of which the body is made and syrup or foreign particles. Thereafter, the syrup connections are restored, the flushing cup 108 removed and the nozzle 34 restored for resumed operations.

The body 38, mounting connection 36, flow sleeve 86 and mounting ring 40 are made preferably of an injection molded polymeric resin such as nylon and the plugs 84 and 84s and the ow sleeves 86 are integrated as a unitized assembly by a solvent or epoxy applied to their interfaces. The plastic has a low co-efiicient of thermal conductivity and low specific heat and therefore changes very little the temperature of liquids passing through it. In fact, insulation 32 can be greatly reduced or eliminated if free circulation of air over the surface of the body 38 is inhibited as by the housing 18 shown.

Having thus described the invention and preferred embodiments thereof, it will be readily understood how the various stated objects and advantages are attained and how various changes can be made for different environmental installations without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A drink dispensing device comprising a body having a depending boss and a plurality of vertically disposed conduits including syrup conduits terminating at the lower end thereof, a carbonated water conduit extending into said boss and terminating in an opening upon a lateral face of the boss, a flow control sleeve means surrounding the boss overlying the carbonated water conduit opening and directing the ow of carbonated water upwardly to the upper edge of the sleeve along said lateral face, a nozzle having a downwardly converging inner wall around said sleeve receiving carbonated water over said upper edge to ilow freely as a thin film along said inner wall, each syrup conduit being constructed and arranged to discharge syrup against a circumferentially limited portion of said inner wall of the nozzle.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which the lower end of the syrup passageway terminates in a lateral port directed laterally towards a limited area of said inner wall above the lower end thereof.

3. The combination called for in claim 1 in which each conduit terminatesin a recess upon the lower end of the boss and opens on the lateral face thereof, said combination including a cap member covering the recesses and dening therewith circumferentially spaced laterally opening syrup discharge ports that are circumferentially longer than their axial width.

4. A drink dispensing device comprising a body having a depending boss and a plurality of vertically disposed conduits including syrup conduits terminating at the lower end thereof, a carbonated water conduit extending into said boss having an outlet diameter greater than its inlet diameter and terminating in an opening upon a lateral face of the boss, a ow control sleeve means on said boss overlying said carbonated water opening and redirecting the flow of carbonated water upwardly along said lateral face to the upper edge of the sleeve, a nozzle supported in said body having a downwardly converging inner wall around said sleeve receiving carbonated water over said upper edge for it to flow downwardly as a thin lm along said Wall, each of said syrup conduits being constructed and arranged to discharge syrup against a circumferentially limited portion of said nozzle wall.

5. The combination defined in claim 4 in which each syrup conduit terminates in a port laterally directed to discharge syrup against said Wall above the lower end thereof.

6. A drink dispensing device comprising a body having a plurality of horizontally radiating conduit means and a depending boss having a plurality of vertically disposed conduits with each connected to one of said conduit means and including syrup conduits terminating at the lower end of the boss, a carbonated water conduit extending into said boss connected to one of said conduit means and terminating in an opening upon the lateral face of the boss,

each of said conduit means including a solenoid valve and an adjustable means for metering the ow of syrup and ilow of carbonated water in predetermined proportions, a flow control means on the body overlying the carbonated Water conduit opening and redirecting the ow of carbonated water upwardly to an upper weir edge thereon, a nozzle having a downwardly converging inner wall around said flow control means receiving carbonated water over said upper edge, each of said syrup conduits being constructed and arranged to discharge syrup against circumferentially limited portion of said nozzle wall, switch means for actuating one of the syrup control solenoid valves simultaneously with the carbonated water solenoid, and a housing for said body inhibiting ambit air from passing in contact with said body.

7. The combination called for in claim 6 in which said carbonated water conduit downstream of said metering means includes a bore section of gradually expanding diameter terminating in a radially directed passage ending in said opening, a circumferential groove around the boss at said opening, and said ow control means comprising a sleeve overlying said opening and groove.

8. The combination dened in claim 6 in which the lower end of each syrup conduit terminates in a lateral port that is circumferentially longer than their aXial width.

9. The method process of mixing a syrup with carbonated water comprising spreading and conning carbonated water to flow as a lm in a converging rustoconical path, directing a stream of syrup to impinge through the water upon a limited area of a wall defining the frusto-conical path and rebounding it from said wall to redirect it to ilow commingled with the carbonated water flowing through said limited area to progressively dilute the syrup, and commingling the flow of diluted syrup 8 with the remaining carbonated water for mixture therewith.

10. The method called for in claim 9 in which the axis of said frusto-conical path is vertical and the stream of syrup is horizontally wider than it is vertically thick as it impinges on said wall. v

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 982,141 1/1911 Kellar 239-113 2,401,914 6/1946 Pietro 222-145 X 3,015,420 1/1962 Chudnow 222-145 X 3,093,316 6/1963 Hedeman 239-4193 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Examiner. 

1. A DRINK DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING A BODY HAVING A DEPENDING BOSS AND A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY DISPOSED CONDUITS INCLUDING SYRUP CONDUITS TERMINATING AT THE LOWER END THEREOF, A CARBONATED WATER CONDUIT EXTENDING INTO SAID BOSS AND TERMINATING IN AN OPENING UPON A LATERAL FACE OF THE BOSS, A FLOW CONTROL SLEEVE MEANS SURROUNDING THE BOSS OVERLYING THE CARBONATED WATER CONDUIT OPENING AND DIRECTING THE FLOW OF CARBONATED WATER UPWARDLY TO THE UPPER EDGE OF THE SLEEVE ALONG SAID LATERAL FACE, A NOZZLE HAVING A DOWNWARDLY CONVERGING INNER WALL AROUND SAID SLEEVE RECEIVING CARBONATED WATER OVER SAID UPPER EDGE TO FLOW FREELY AS A THIN FILM ALONG SAID INNER WALL, EACH SYRUP CONDUIT BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO DISCHARGE SYRUP AGAINST A CIRCUMFERENTIALLY LIMITED PORTION OF SAID INNER WALL OF THE NOZZLE. 